Historic DC-3’s Inaugural Flight

Tuesday, March 05, 2013 at 11:24 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

The Historic Flight Foundation's Douglas DC-3 vintage airliner successfully completed its inaugural flight from Paine Field on March 2, 2013.
This maiden flight followed a meticulous restoration that brought the aircraft back to operational status.
The restoration included a historically correct Pan Am paint scheme and an interior honoring its heritage as a Pan Am airliner and corporate transport.
The DC-3 also has a historical connection to flying "The Hump" during World War II.

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The recent inaugural flight of Historic Flight Foundation’s Douglas DC-3 vintage airliner from Paine Field.

hff dc-3 flying the hump for cnac.jpg — The HFF’s DC-3 flying “The Hump” during World War II.

hff dc-3 inaugural flight - credit to liz matzelle.jpg — The DC-3 overhead on its maiden flight since undergoing a meticulous restoration. (Photo credit: Liz Matzelle)

hff dc-3 inaugural flight take-off - credit to liz matzelle.jpg — The inaugural flight of the Historic Flight Foundation’s DC-3 went off without a hitch. (Photo credit: Liz Matzelle)

hff dc-3 cockpit - credit to james polivka - 800.jpg — The cockpit view of the HFF’s restored DC-3. (Photo credit: James Polivka) James Polivka

hff dc-3 interior - credit to james polivka.jpg — The interior of the HFF’s restored DC-3 pays homage to its heritage as a Pan Am airliner and corporate transport. (Photo credit: James Polivka) James Polivka

hff dc-3 pair of seats - credit to jeremy dwyer-lindgren - 800.jpg — The recreated interior gives an idea of what it might have been like to fly aboard the DC-3 as an executive in the 1950s. (Photo credit: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren) Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren

hff dc-3 reflections - credit to james polivka - 800.jpg — The HFF’s DC-3 reflected on the rain-soaked ramp after its return to the air. (Photo credit: James Polivka) James Polivka

hff dc-3 preflight by pilot michael kopp - credit to jeremy dwyer-lindgren.jpg — Pilot Michael Kopp preflights the DC-3 before its return to the skies on Saturday, March 2, 2013. (Photo credit: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren) Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren / Historic

hff dc-3 pilot john sessions - credit to jeremy dwyer-lindgren.jpg — HFF pilot John Sessions in the DC-3’s left seat. (Photo credit: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren) Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren / Historic

hff dc-3 passengers enjoying the flight - credit to jeremy dwyer-lindgren.jpg — Invited guests on the DC-3 flight enjoy the view from above of Washington State. (Photo credit: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren) Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren / Historic

hff dc-3 inaugural toast - credit to jeremy dwyer-lindgren..jpg — Passengers celebrate the milestone flight with champagne. (Photo credit: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren) Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren / Historic

hff dc-3 in daylight - credit to sealand aviation - 800.jpg — The restored DC-3 features a historically correct Pan Am paint scheme. (Photo credit: Sealand Aviation)

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